Five Things I’m Loving | August 2021

It’s been a couple of months since I did one of these and I have a few products I can’t get enough of recently so time for another favourites!

 

I am almost finished the Fenty Beauty PRO FILT’R Hydrating foundation RRP £27 (shade 150) and had to give it another mention before it becomes an empty! I was already a fan of the matte version (and it featured in a similar post back in September here) but picked this one up late last year when I was on accutane as my normally oily/combo skin became more dry/normal. This is a medium to full coverage foundation and it really brings the glow! I would hate this if my skin was oily as even when I powder it, it doesn’t completely set and there is still a serious amount of dewiness! With my skin still being “normal” this lasts all day on me and makes me look so healthy with the glow it gives. I don’t find it settles into fine lines and it doesn’t wear off throughout the day but it can transfer a little. Like I said, if you have oily skin I don’t think this would be such a hit and similarly I have read quite mixed reviews of it for dry skin but I am glad I picked it up, there is just something about it I love and it’s worked well for me! Boots regularly have 20% off it too!

 

I featured the Elemental Herbology Zest Bath and Body Oil* RRP £30 a few weeks ago in a bodycare post but I love it so much I want to talk about it again! I love having a body oil in my routine and this one is particularly luxurious. It’s a deep citrus scent and includes orange (to energise), rosemary (to stimulate the mind and work as an inflammatory) and marjoram (to boost energy). While it can be used in a hot bath, I tend to use it at night as a body oil and I wake up to hydrated, supple, nourished skin! It’s thicker than the likes of the Biossance Squalane oil but doesn’t feel heavy or sticky at all and the scent is beautiful – not too overpowering and very uplifting! It seems to have gone up in price by a couple of pounds since my last post but honestly I think it’s worth it, and there are numerous 15-20% off codes floating about making the deal a little sweeter! 

 

Next up, the Hello Skin Co Eyes So Bright Hydrogel Eye Masks* RRP £10 have been a welcome addition to my routine this summer. They contain caffeine and collagen as well as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide and have been a god send particularly on days I have been struggling with hay fever! They come in a pack of 60, feel so cooling on application and really help soothe my eyes and decrease puffiness! At £10 they are so affordable too and I am told this brand will be in Boots soon! They come in a handy tub with a lid that keeps the moisture in and a spatula to separate them and keep things hygienic and look at how juicy they are! A really nice extra in my routine! 

 

Finally, a little double act I have been loving in the Pixi + Promise Shapeshifter Palette* RRP £20 and Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush RRP £35. I wasn’t expecting to love this palette so much as I don’t tend to contour anymore nor have I bought a face palette in years. However, I do bronze every day and this palette contains a great mix of warm and cooler shades so I have found myself reaching for it every day since I got it to properly try it out and I am so impressed. The formula is smooth and just the right amount of pigmentation that I can see it but it doesn’t create an obvious line across my cheek. It lasts all day with no fading on my skin and while it’s a face palette, the shades lend themselves well to my favourite type of eyeshadow shades and work on my brows too so I can fully get on board with this one! I’m not one for highlight so the middle top two rows haven’t been used but the rest of the shades are matte and as well as contour/bronzer shades there is a brightening translucent powder and a banana powder too which all get use from me! Its currently on offer at Boots with 1/3 off and 20% off on Look Fantastic! Check out my review of the Pixi On the Glow Blushes here too! 

 

unedited swatches - 1-3 are 1st row, 4-6 are 2nd row, 7-9 are 3rd row

For the bronzer shades I dug out my CT powder and sculpt brush which has been in my collection since 2017. Despite apparently loving this when I first got it, in recent years I have abandoned it, it tends to shed much more than my other brushes when I wash it and I’ve had to reglue the handle (despite taking very good care of it!) and I think I also told people it was not a necessity. Well, I am officially eating my words. If you don’t already have this brush and struggle with bronzer brushes that are too big, apply too much or in a clunky manner, this is your guy. It’s much smaller than my usual Morphe or Real Techniques weapon of choice and more tapered and it makes applying bronzer or contouring a breeze! Highly recommend and I am eyeing up a couple more CT brushes now – anyone have the bronzer and blusher brush?

So that’s my current favourites – let me know if you have tried any of them and what you thought!

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

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Current Skincare | Serums and SPF’s #1

I’m back with another current skincare post and this time I’ve branched out from cleansers and toners to serums and SPF’s!  Now, this isn’t quite all the serums I’m using at the minute but it’s the three I am using most consistently and the only SPF’s I have open. It’s probably going to be a ramble so let’s get to it!

 

As a huge fan of Dermalogica products I was super excited about trying the Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Serum* RRP £89 out especially as I received it right towards the end of my Roaccutane treatment. As a reminder, you can’t use retinol or acids while on the drug as it makes your skin so sensitive and those ingredients are normally my go to’s when trying to fade dark spots so I was excited to use this. It has an impressive name and impressive claims to start fading spots in a week and help them diminish over time while brightening and boosting skins luminosity. While I enjoy the lightweight formula of this serum, unfortunately I have not seen huge changes in my pigmentation since using it and considering the claims and price, I was expecting more! My skin does look brighter and more even overall with use but I was really hoping this would help target some dark spots I have from leftover acne and they just haven’t shifted. One of the serums main ingredients is niacinamide which usually works wonders for me but not this time! Like I said, a nice formulation overall and a good one for sensitive skin (though be aware of citrus oils in there too) but at this price the payoff is not good enough for my expectations! 

 

 

Sticking with Dermalogica, their Smart Response Serum* RRP £130 has impressed me much more! This is a smart serum that responds to your skins changing needs to hydrate, firm, brighten and soothe depending on what it feels you require. It really is a joy to use from the heavyweight bottle to the rich (but never greasy) serum! It almost doesn’t feel like you even need to follow with moisturiser and it instantly calms skin. With consistent use twice a day my skin has felt hydrated, brighter, soft and plump and my fine lines look less noticeable. Ingredients wise, it contains glycerin (hydration), niacinamide and hydrolyzed wheat flour (brightening), japanese cornelia cherry (soothes and reduces redness) and mannose-6-phosphate (smooths and firms). The price is eye watering but Look Fantastic’s many 20% off codes work on it and I think if you are streamlining your routine or want to cut out a few steps with multiple serums this is a one stop shop and well worth it!

 

Sticking with serums, though this is more a bi-phase oil hybrid, the Lumene Nordic-C Arctic Berry Oil-Cocktail* RRP £29.90 (for a 30m full size) is a great little hydrating product! I always err on the side of caution with oils as they are usually strictly an overnight product for me but with my skin being more normal rather than oily these days and this being very lightweight it’s been working well for me. Shake before use and the Arctic cloudberry, Nordic cranberry and fatty acids make my skin glow while keeping it bright and hydrated all day long. It sits well under moisturiser and doesn’t make my foundation disintegrate despite being an oil and I can see anyone with drier skin than me loving this too! 

 

Moving onto SPF now and the Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Age Daily SPF 50* RRP £21 has quickly moved to the top of my SPF list with its lightweight fluid texture! This is an SPF 50 offering UVA and UVB protection that corrects photo-ageing signs such as wrinkles and dark spots caused by daily UV exposure. It's formulated with 1% Vitamin E, 4% peptides complex, 2% niacinamide, and 10% Vichy volcanic mineralizing water and probiotic fractions and really has been a dream to use! I was concerned on reading the full ingredients list as alcohol denat is high up there and I previously haven’t got on with SPF’s containing high amounts (though I get on with it in my overnight acids) but apart from a slight “active” feeling on application which soon disappears it hasn’t been a problem for me! If you have *very* sensitive skin it might not be the one for you though. Aside from that, this has no white cast (I have pale skin for reference), it absorbs easily and sits very well under makeup with no pilling in sight – hallelujah! I used this when I was dog sitting recently too and put it on for my early morning dog walks where it didn’t melt off into my eyes or sting them either! As it’s a French pharmacy item its usually on a nice little offer too! Can’t recommend this enough! I'm annoyed at myself for losing the cap of this, it's in my tiny bedroom somewhere but I can't find it!

 

Finally, the Hello Sunday The Everyday One Face Moisturiser SPF 30 RRP £15 and I really wanted to love this one but it’s fallen short for me unfortunately. Like the Vichy, this protects against UVA and UVB rays and they also have an SPF 50 version. It contains hyaluronic acid, panthenol and allantoin and is hydrating enough that you don’t need to use a separate moisturiser underneath! It’s a very lightweight cream and leaves no white cast for me either but takes a little more rubbing in that the Vichy. The issue I have with this is that 9 times out of 10 I will get some pilling either while rubbing it in or when I am blending my foundation on top. Pilling is my number one pet peeve in skincare and it’s been a while since a product has done this on me! On the occasions this hasn’t pilled it’s a nice product but I just don’t trust it now. I am not sure what it’s reacting with and it is better when I simplify my routine (and I mean literally toner, serum and this) but I like some extra layers sometimes. I’m not a fan of the pump either, it can sometimes squirt out way further than intended and is a pain! Overall, though I have heard some great things about the other products in Hello Sunday’s SPF line up this was a miss for me!

I’d love to know if you have tried any of the above products and what you thought! Let me know what your favourite serum or SPF is at the minute!

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

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Beauty Spend Report | July 2021

I successfully made it through another month with no beauty spend in June so skipping that, here’s what I bought beauty wise in July and I have to say it was very controlled of me! These purchases were both made towards the end of the month so I haven’t had time to test them fully but here are some first impressions!

 

As a huge OUAI fan, I had been eyeing up the Dean Street Eau de Parfum as soon as they released more of the scents! I already have and love North Bondi and Melrose Place and in the past I have had Mercer Street too. I remember smelling Rue St. Honore in Sephora when it was released first time round and decided against it but Dean Street was completely new to me. It’s the same scent as the body wash and curiosity got the better of me so I ordered blind…and it was a mistake. This scent is not for me unfortunately!

 

It’s top notes are mandarin, lemon, grapefruit and apricot, heart notes are rose, magnolia, muguet and violet and base notes are amber, linden, blossom and musk. And in all honestly all of that is gobbledegook to me! I am very hard to please when it comes to scents and could name you the ones I like probably on one hand. To me/on me this is just too “green” and citrusy, I wore it twice and it wasn’t bad enough that I wanted to wash it off (been there with other scents before lol) but it just didn’t feel very me and I didn’t enjoy it! I hope I can sell it as it’s barely used and I will repurchase Melrose Place soon as that is my FAVOURITE scent and I am almost out. Which is what I should have done instead of trying a new one but we live and learn! This is normally £46 but Look Fantastic always have a discount code floating about and I got it for £36.80.

 

Next up from Look Fantastic is the Anastasia Brow Freeze and I have read so many good reviews on this and it was out of stock everywhere at one point too! I am a huge fan of ABH brow products including the Brow Wiz, Dipbrow and Brow Powder Duo so I couldn’t wait to try this. Again, I have been left wanting. Maybe I am off my game with picking new products to try, who knows. I know people use this for creating a laminated of feathered look but I was more drawn in by the residue and flake free formula claims and the fact it can add more volume to brows. I’ve unfortunately been left a little underwhelmed by this so far! It’s quite awkward to use and get the product on my spoolie evenly first of all. After I take the excess off on the inside of the cap I still sometimes get a little too much on the front of my brow and it doesn’t actually set at all. It feels like lightweight Vaseline in my brows and they don’t stay put all day. I should add that I don’t have unruly brows but the hairs on my arches move throughout the day and while it's marginally better it’s not what I was expecting from this product especially with freeze in the name! I prefer the brow gel from ABH but I go through it so quickly. The Brow Freeze is flake free but has a very slight wet look to it and yeah so far I feel a bit meh about it! It’s £24 normally but I got it for £19.20. 

 

Lastly, I picked up the Feel Unique Beauty Kit and this is a promotion they have been doing for a good while now although within the last week it's changed slightly to the Feel Unique Beauty Box with different pricing options depending on if you pick a subscription or one off sample box. Previously, you picked 5 deluxe samples for £12.95 and £3.95 shipping though I got this on offer at £10.95 plus shipping so slightly better but it’s worth picking out bigger sample sizes or more expensive products to make it worth your money! It comes in a little reusable pouch too and you can use the shipping fee as a voucher against your next order. They have loads of products to choose from though it is mostly in the skincare category so be aware of that! I picked out the Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright cream containing fruit AHA’s and Vitamin C as I love the OG Bum Bum cream and wanted to try this scent and exfoliation action. I know Siobhan loves the AHC Essential Real Eye Cream for Face so I grabbed it too and I loved the Cerave Hydrating cleanser so I am excited to try the Hydrating Cream to Foam version! Lastly, a mini of the Farmacy Green Clean which I have had before and remember liking and the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Vitamin C serum which I hear so much about and at £145 for the full size 30ml bottle, is the best value of the samples. I realise I won’t see much change with a 4ml but Vitamin C is a tricky formulation for me so that’s what I want to try it! I got mine for £14.90 instead of £16.90. They seem to have changed the little bag too which is a pity as its so handy that it's see through! 

    

That’s my latest spend report! I got this for £70.90 instead of the full price of £86.90!  I would love to know if you have tried any of the above and what you thought and do let me know if you are on a similar low buy and how it’s going!

 

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

Danielle xx

 

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Product Empties #34

I’m back in a much more timely fashion with my empties this time which I am super happy about! It’s only been about a month since my last batch whereas I feel like the rest of this year it’s been every two months which quite long for me! Anyway, onto the mini reviews! 

 

Bodycare

Nivea Firming Body Lotion with Q10 and Vitamin C

I’m a big fan of Nivea but I hadn’t tried this one before, it has a lovely, lightweight, fresh scent and sinks in quickly. It kept my skin hydrated and it’s difficult to say if it did a lot for firming and fine lines but I will say that I really enjoyed it and will repurchase in the future! Always on offer and super affordable too!

 

Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse Dark*

Really liked this tan from Bali Body! It applies easily and has a guide colour so you can see if you have missed any bits. It develops overnight into a very natural looking tan and doesn’t feel drying at all. Smells pretty fresh for a tan too and wears off evenly. I sometimes apply two coats as I like my tan to be quite dark so I would repurchase the Ultra Dark version next time!

 

Bali Body Self Tan Eraser*

I do think products like this are a bit of a novelty but saying that, this did work well to remove tan after leaving on skin for 5 minutes (along with a mitt). The pump broke on this with about 2/3 of the product left so I struggled getting the product out and to be honest, I wouldn’t repurchase when I can just use a cheaper scrub or body wash as I need to use a mitt with this anyway! Full review of both the tan and eraser here!

 

Pixi Rose Body Cleanser*

This has a different consistency to most other shower gels/creams as it doesn’t lather and it really does feel like rubbing a balm in. It leaves my skin feeling clean and hydrated and the scent is lightweight and doesn’t linger. Not a repurchase as I have other products I prefer!

 

Pixi Rose Body Balm*

Lovely, lightweight formula that sinks in easily and doesn’t smell too strong. Keeps my skin feeling soft and hydrated but again not a repurchase as I have other body moisturisers I prefer that are more affordable! Full review of both Pixi products here!

 

Nursem Caring Hand Cream

Love how this brand gives a month’s worth of product to nursing and midwifery staff when you buy a product! Kept my hands soothe and soft but I am not a fan of the citrus/grapefruit scent so I hope they bring out more scents! My mum on the other hand loved it haha so I would repurchase for her!

 

 

Skincare

Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Meltaway Cleanser

This is a lovely creamy cleanser that almost feels like rubbing a moisturiser over makeup but removes it with ease. It’s also got an enjoyable sweet marshmallow scent that adds to the experience and I love the bright blue packaging! My skin feels plump and hydrated after using and while I like this I don’t love it so probably won’t repurchase as its pretty pricey! Full review here!

 

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water*

Fully get the hype with this one -  the formula is so gentle and I was shocked at how much makeup it removed! It leaves no residue or film behind either! It struggles a little removing mascara but I don’t find it an issue as I go in with the Nivea eye makeup remover for that. Will repurchase. Full review here!

 

Scientia Peachy Clean Milky Oil Cleanser*

This is a nice little milk to oil hybrid cleanser that I found myself using more as a second cleanse as it’s so lightweight though it’s fine for a first cleanse too! It feels nourishing and removes dirt, makeup and impurities whilst softening, hydrating and soothing skin. Would maybe pick this up on offer again but not a repurchase for now. Full review of Scientia Beauty here!

 

The Inkey List Symbright Moisturiser*

I think this is a good one for normal/oily skinned people as it’s quite lightweight. It contains symbright produced through clary sage to brighten and Kakadu plum extract again to increase radiance and luminosity. It sits well under makeup and I tended to only use this in the AM as I prefer heavier creams and oils at night. I did find depending on what other skincare I was using with it I had to work harder to rub it in (almost like SPF) so this isn’t a repurchase for me as I have other moisturisers I prefer! Good one if it suits your skin type and you are looking for an affordable option though! Full review here!

 

Cerave PM Facial Moisturising Lotion

Another lightweight moisturiser! This time for the PM and it contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide so though lightweight, it’s still nourishing. I think this would be perfect for summer in particular and I used most of it while I was on Accutane by mixing it with oil to give it a little extra boost. Love the airless pump too! Would repurchase and I have a full review here!

 

NIOD Survival 0

A nightly antioxidant, reparative serum targeting damage caused by environmental stressors like pollution, smog and blue light. I have noticed my skin tone is healthier overall after using this and it also feels hydrating (includes glycerin and squalane) and layers well with other skincare! Will repurchase!

 

NIOD Modulating Glucosides

Lovely serum that supports the skin barrier and targets sensitive, irritated skin encouraging a calmer complexion. It is so comforting and if you struggle with sensitivity you need to try this! Another one I will repurchase and I have a full review of both NIOD products here!

 

Balance Me Pre and Probiotic Cleansing Milk*

Really enjoyed this mini, it felt gentle and hydrating and was perfect as a morning or second cleanse for me! Price is pretty good too at £20 for a 180ml full size so would be one I will repurchase in the future!

 

IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream

Really enjoyed this mini, the cream was quite thick but it didn’t feel greasy at all and sat well under makeup hydrating my fine lines. A little on the pricey side but would consider a repurchase in the future!

 

Milk Vegan Milk Moisturiser

Another thick one but this did feel a tad greasy to me. Sat well under makeup like the IT Cosmetics but nothing to make me want to repurchase! 

 

Haircare

Soap and Glory The Rushower Dry Shampoo

Been through a few of these now and it’s a nice enough dry shampoo that gives me an extra day out of greasy hair and I enjoy the scent. Might repurchase in the future but there are others I prefer.

 

Bleach London Reincarnation Mask

Really nice budget hair mask that left my hair feeling soft and smooth. I do have others I prefer but would repurchase again as its such a good price.

 

Phyto Joba Moisturizing Mask

Speaking of hair masks I prefer, I love this one! It contains jojoba oil and leaves my hair soft and manageable as well as hydrated, shiny and healthy looking! It's concentrated so a little goes a long way and it smells like coconuts. I leave it on for as long as possible and my hair seems to drink it up! If your ends are as parched as mine are you need to try this, they will thank you for it! Full review here and I will repurchase once I finish off a few more masks!

 

The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

Didn’t see any difference with this unfortunately! Not a repurchase for me. 

 

Miscellanous

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

I can’t say I have massive trouble sleeping normally but this is a pleasant relaxing scent! Currently using a more affordable one so this isn’t a repurchase for me!

 

Barry M Lip Scrub

Love this, cheaper than its Lush counterpart and does just as good a job as keeping my lips dead skin free! Have already repurchased!

 

So that’s it for today’s empties! I am very close to finishing a couple of foundations and lip balms but they have a couple more uses in them so I didn’t want to cheat! Really happy with my progress and hopefully I have another post this time next month too! Do you see any of your favourites here?

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

If you want to keep up to date with my posts, don’t forget to follow me on

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